Member-only story
Medical Bill Assistance: Where to Turn for Help
Do I really owe this much?
The damage is done. You were sick, so you went to the doctor. This is what a person does, right? Right.
Now you have a bill for much more than you were expecting. What now?
Before you open your wallet to pay that bill let’s make sure you really owe it. This may be surprising but a large percentage of medical bills do indeed contain billing errors. To you, the patient, and the customer, this means getting billed for charges you don’t owe.
Here are three things to look for.
What is this charge for?
Are there charges on your bill without an explanation?
As the customer, you are entitled to know what the charges are for. It is not acceptable for the provider to send you a balance-due bill with no explanation. If they do, call them immediately to question this. You are entitled to receive an itemized statement.
Don’t be afraid to demand one before you will pay your liability.